Immigration Evaluations
Supporting Immigration Cases with Expert Mental Health Insight
Psychologists play a critical role in immigration evaluations by conducting psychological assessments and providing expert opinions for various legal immigration processes. These assessments can be an important piece of information that can help a court determine whether an individual and/or their family can lawfully remain in the U.S.
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As a trauma informed psychologist, I strive to provide a space that reflects a sense of safety to cover some of the topics that are needed to accurately assess, diagnosis and provide recommendations that are relevant to each particular case.
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Those evaluations are essential in several contexts:
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Asylum Cases: I will assess individuals seeking asylum to determine the presence and impact of trauma, such as PTSD, depression, or anxiety, often resulting from persecution, torture, or other severe hardships in their home countries. These evaluations can provide insight and evidence of mental health condition that may support asylum claims.
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Hardship Waivers/ Cancellation of Removal (Adults & Children): In cases where deportation or an immigration denial could cause extreme hardship to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (often a family member), I will evaluate and document the psychological impact on these individuals. These evaluations are used to support waiver applications or other relief measures.
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U&T Visa and VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) Cases: For victims of crime or domestic violence, I will assess and document the psychological effects of the abuse or crime to demonstrate the severity of mental health impact and the necessity for legal protection.
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Special Immigration Juvenile Status (SIJS)- SIJ classification is a humanitarian-based immigration classification that allows youth under 21, legal status protection from the juvenile court if they are abused, abandoned, or neglected by a parent. I will thoroughly evaluate and document the psychological impact on these individuals.
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Reports:
Comprehensive and detailed reports are prepared that outline the findings, diagnosis (if any) and the potential impact of immigration decisions on individuals’ mental health. These reports are often critical in legal proceedings and can significantly influence outcomes of immigration cases. The evaluation itself is usually completed following 1-2 meetings. The assessment includes a comprehensive interview and collection of your background, incorporation of any medical or mental health records, behavioral observation, and information regarding any current mental health symptoms. Once I have collected all of the necessary information, I will then write a report and send it to a client’s attorney within 14 business days following the final interview session with me.
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